Keane makes plain his worth to Benítez on debut in Spain

Just as an actor should not be judged on a dress rehearsal, so a footballer should not be judged on a pre-season friendly and Liverpool's game last night against the Spanish side Villarreal provided little evidence of what their new £20m striker Robbie Keane can bring to Anfield. There was no dream debut and no goal but nor could there be any complaints after a 45 minute run-out - not about Keane at least. When Jay Spearing's 90th-minute volley flew fractionally past the post, it confirmed a 0-0 draw in which Villarreal did more to warrant victory.

After Keane's 107 goals in six years for Spurs, a better record than Fernando Torres boasted at Atlético Madrid, Rafa Benítez is entitled to expect goals. He will have to wait, though. Just one chance fell his way here. Cutting inside neatly, the Irishman feinted to shoot, leaving two defenders sliding on to the floor but, when he did decide to let fly, could only send the ball over the bar. Otherwise there was little to get excited about.

It should not matter, of course. But for Keane snap judgments are inevitable and this felt more than a mere dress rehearsal. Indeed, it felt like something of an opening night, with an evening's celebration thrown in. El Madrigal was full, with Liverpool fans counted in their thousands not hundreds, red-faced and red-shirted, pouring in from the coast and the UK.

"I was really pleased with the situation on the pitch tonight," said the Liverpool manager. "Robbie Keane did well, he had every chance to score but could not manage a goal."

Benítez, who would not comment on the Gareth Barry situation, added: "I feel the quality is improving, it is better than last season and this match has been of benefit to the squad and for me to see several young players in action."

Benítez's team were introduced by the PA announcer as "Spanish Liverpool" and no wonder: when the Henry Delaunay trophy was presented to seven European champions to a huge ovation before the game, four of them were Liverpool players. None was cheered more loudly than Fernando Torres.

But while so many from this town of ceramics had come to see El Niño, rising to applaud him when he came on as a late substitute, the Liverpool supporters were more interested in Keane. For the Irishman, there will be greater occasions but this too was an opening night.

"It was very hot but I enjoyed every single minute of the game," said the 28-year-old. Keane was strikingly demonstrative, forever pointing: to where he wanted the ball, to where he wanted team-mates, to where he saw a pass. He did not coincide with Torres last night but he will surely dovetail better with the Spaniard than he did with David Ngog. He looked lively and quick, often dropping deep to receive. And if he was often a little hasty simply to return the ball, unaware of the opportunity to turn, he was alert to the opportunity to pounce on any loose balls.

Villarreal made particular progress down Liverpool's right where Stephen Darby was afforded little protection from Andriy Voronin - the striker pressed into service on the wing who did still less offensively than he offered defensively. Only when Keane dropped into a right-sided position was there a Liverpool presence. And with the fleet-footed Argentinian Ariel Ibagaza and Robert Pires showing intelligence and movement on the left, Villarreal sliced Liverpool open throughout the final 15 minutes of the half.

Cani, Angel and Pires all had efforts saved by Diego Cavalieri. That other debutant striker Joseba Llorente, recently signed from Athletic Bilbao, had a neat lob disallowed. As if in desperation, Darby then clobbered the former Arsenal midfielder. Immediately Voronin swapped with Yossi Benayoun, switching over to the left. Almost as immediately, Villarreal made progress on the other side in what was fast becoming a monologue, despite Liverpool wasting the best chance on the break.

But normal service was resumed when Villarreal progressed down the right. Javi Venta's deflected cross fell to Ibagaza, whose shot came back off the post. Darby divided in to divert Cani's follow-up over. Drifting through the game, Voronin provoked indifference. If there was little real conclusion to be drawn on Keane there may be on Voronin: it is hard to believe the Ukrainian will play much of a part when the real business starts. When it does, Keane on the other hand will have to.